Theatre seat project gets big boost

The Anne Portnuff Theatre Revitalization Project has received $100,000 through the Co-op Community Spaces initiative.

The Co-op program supports recreation, environmental conservation and urban agricultural projects.

The funds will help the local initiative to replace 50-year-old seating at the theatre in the Yorkton Regional High School.

Gene Krepakevich, president of the Yorkton Co-op noted they have been “operating in the community for 77-years,” adding they provide support for local initiatives “all the time.”

Mike Haczkewicz, principal at YRHS said the donation is a significant one, raising the total raised to replace the seating to $263,000, and closing in on the goal of $300,000.

Haczkewicz said they are now looking at how best to recognize the donation, with one idea being discussed having the stage at the theatre named after the local Co-op.

“We want to give you some recognition to this project,” he said at a press conference at the Co-op Grocery Store in the city Thursday.

Tonia Vermette, administrator with the Yorkton Arts Council said it is gratifying to see the support of the Co-op for a project many have been working on. She said it was 18-months ago a number of user groups associated with the theatre came together to spearhead the revitalization project.

The new money brings the seating project closer to reality, with a hoped for installation in the summer of 2019, although if fundraising was sufficient in the next few months it could happen in 2018, depending on the availability of seats from the supplier.

Vermette also noted seating is not the only upgrade the groups hoping to fundraise for. Moving forward she said “the lighting system needs an upgrade,” and the stage curtains “are getting very tatty” and require replacing.

Ben Koroluk, president of the YRHS Student Council said the seats in the theatre “are really worn down”. To have them replaced will be a positive thing for the school, he added because the student body uses the theatre often.

In 2017 – with Canada 150 just around the corner – individual projects were eligible to receive up to $150,000 through Co-op Community spaces.

In total, 27 organizations are being supported through the program this year. Combined, these groups – which include non-profits, charities and community service co-operatives – have received $2 million for their community projects.

Since launching in 2015, Co-op Community Spaces has provided $4.5 million to more than 60 projects across B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

“Co-op Community Spaces is an exciting program that is making a difference across Western Canada and we’re delighted to see it come to this region” said Krepakevich. “Yorkton Co-op is supported and owned by members and customers right here at home, so it’s important that we give back and make investments in our community and people, which is what Co-op Community Spaces is all about.”

Co-op Community Spaces is administered by Federated Co-operatives Limited on behalf of more than 190 independent retail co-operatives across Western Canada that

forms the Co-operatives Retailing System. For more information, including complete details about the 2017 Co-op Community Spaces projects, visit www.communityspaces.ca

Donations totalling $2 million from the Co-op Community Spaces Program will support 27 community-based recreation, conservation and urban agriculture projects across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

“With increased funding in 2017, Co-op Community Spaces will reach more organizations and communities in a single year than ever before,” said Vic Huard, Executive Vice-President of Strategy with Federated Co-operatives Limited, which administers the program on behalf of the more than 190 independent retail co-operatives that form the Co-operative Retailing System in Western Canada.

“For generations, Co-op has invested in Western Canadian communities and we’re proud to continue that tradition through this innovative program, which is empowering local organizations, fostering community and enriching the places we call home.”